Pakistan Railways recorded 95 accidents in 2025 amid delays and disruption

LAHORE (Web Desk) – The year 2025 closed as one of the most turbulent periods for Pakistan Railways, defined by frequent derailments, collisions, acts of sabotage and prolonged operational delays, according to official data released by the department.

While railway stations and waiting areas underwent visible upgrades, the rail network itself faced repeated disruptions that affected both passenger and freight services nationwide.

From January 1 to December 20, Pakistan Railways recorded 95 incidents involving passenger and goods trains. These incidents claimed the lives of more than a dozen passengers, injured hundreds of travellers and railway staff, and caused extensive damage to rolling stock, locomotives and track infrastructure.

DERAILMENTS

Derailments accounted for the largest share of incidents during the year. Official figures show 46 derailments involving passenger trains and 43 derailments involving freight trains.

Major derailments included the Islamabad Express on August 1, when six coaches derailed between Lahore and Rawalpindi due to a broken track, leaving 30 passengers injured. On August 17, the Awam Express travelling from Lahore to Karachi derailed near Lodhran, with six coaches leaving the track.

Another major derailment occurred on May 21, when the Shalimar Express collided with a brick-laden trolley at an unmanned level crossing near Sianwala Dar-ul-Ehsan, causing all 15 coaches to derail. On August 29, nine freight wagons derailed near Paddidan, disrupting goods movement on the route.

ACCIDENTS AND COLLISIONS

Collisions involving trains, vehicles and stationary rolling stock were reported throughout the year, particularly at level crossings.

On September 11, a freight locomotive collided with another freight train near Renala Khurd, killing an assistant train driver and injuring another crew member. On May 30, the Rehman Baba Express struck a trolley at an unmanned level crossing, narrowly avoiding a larger catastrophe.

The Pakistan Express was involved in an incident near Mubarakpur on June 1, when a trolley passed beneath the dining car, preventing a major derailment. Several accidents were also reported at manned and unmanned level crossings, highlighting persistent safety concerns.

ATTACKS AND SABOTAGE

Railway infrastructure in Balochistan, particularly in the Quetta division, remained vulnerable to sabotage. The Jaffar Express and railway tracks were targeted eight times during the year.

The most serious attacks occurred on March 11 and June 18, when explosives were used to damage the track near Jacobabad, causing five coaches of the Jaffar Express to derail. Repeated attacks disrupted services, damaged tracks and increased security concerns for passengers and railway staff.

OTHER INCIDENTS

In addition to derailments and collisions, one incident of a train catching fire was officially recorded. Operational delays also became routine, with trains departing hours behind schedule from major stations, including Lahore, as congestion, infrastructure faults and accident-related disruptions accumulated.

UPGRADES

Despite the scale of incidents recorded in 2025, the year also saw a focus on station refurbishment, upgraded waiting rooms and improved aesthetics, while large-scale modernisation of tracks, signalling systems and rolling stock remained limited amid mounting challenges for the national rail network.